By Sara Beth Williams–
A 48-year-old high school teacher in Citrus Heights is now in jail on suspicion of molesting six juveniles.
In a July 31 press release, Citrus Heights Police said Augustine Sanchez, a 48-year-old Citrus Heights resident and teacher at Mesa Verde High School, surrendered himself to the Sacramento Main Jail after an arrest warrant had been issued earlier in July. Sanchez faces charges of sexually annoying or molesting a minor.
On March 6, the Citrus Heights Police Department received a report involving a subject who was allegedly annoying or molesting a minor, according to the press release. General Investigations took over the case and then identified the suspect.
Sanchez was placed on administrative leave by the San Juan Unified School District during the investigation. A total of six victims were identified, and authorities believe there are no further victims at this time.
The San Juan Unified School District issued a statement to the media emphasizing that the safety of their students is “always our top priority,” according to local news reports.
“Prior to beginning service, all employees are subject to a thorough background check, and we investigate all reports of inappropriate behavior with the involvement of law enforcement when appropriate,” the district said, adding that they are communicating with families, offering students resources, and encourage discussion among parents and students.
Once the investigation was completed, the case was forwarded to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office for charging and an arrest warrant was issued for Sanchez on July 18. Sanchez then surrendered to the Sacramento County Jail on July 31.
Anyone with additional information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department Crime Tip Line at (916) 727-5524. Those who would like to remain anonymous can call the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers tip hotline at (916) 443-HELP. Anonymous information leading to the arrest of suspects for any Citrus Heights crimes may be eligible for a cash award.
Family owned Pastor’s Valero gas station and espresso bar is expected to close their doors for the last time on July 31, 2025. // Sophia Otterstad
By Sara Beth Williams– After 50 years, the Pastor’s Valero gas station and Espresso Bar in Citrus Heights will be closing its doors at the end of the day on July 31.
Holly Woltzen, daughter of local businessman Randy Pastor, confirmed with The Sentinel that the last day of operation will be July 31. A coffee shop also operated inside the station, which was a favorite among locals, and the family also operated a car wash.
“It’s very bittersweet and surreal today,” Woltzen said, adding that an Arco AM/PM is expected to take over and open on Aug. 8.
Leading up to the gas station’s closure and transition, all merchandise inside the store has been marked at 50 percent off as of Wednesday. The station announced on their social media page that gas prices would also be slashed every day until the gas runs out. As of Thursday, gas prices were listed as $3.49 a gallon when customers pay with cash.
“Four generations of my family have worked together to create a thriving business built on great service and honesty. We have been blessed with amazing, loyal customers who we owe so much of our success to,” the family wrote in a July 25 post on their social media page, adding that the family has decided to “step aside” from “heavy daily responsibilities” that come with running the gas station.
Woltzen confirmed that the family will still continue operating the Citrus Heights Car Wash, as well as the auto care center, and that they still plan to rent Penske trucks. Woltzen said selling the gas station is a “big change for our family.”
The Pastor family purchased the Texaco gas station in 1975, beginning with Randy Pastor’s parents, and has continued to operate within the family ever since, with Pastor’s daughter and son in law’s assistance.
“I was 11 when we rolled into that old Texaco station,” Pastor said in an interview with The Sentinel following his purchase of the Citrus Heights Car Wash in December 2024.
A map from New California State’s website, which shows all counties within California with existing New California State Committees in dark red and counties without New California State Committees in yellow. Map does not represent final state borders which must be determined by congress. // New California State https://www.newcaliforniastate.com/about-ncs
By Sara Beth Williams– An organization seeking to split California into two states is hosting an in-person vote in counties across the state on Saturday, Aug. 2, with Citrus Heights serving as the voting location in Sacramento County.
The preliminary voting day is designed to gauge support for the New California State proposed state constitution. The event will take place in the West Hall of Citrus Heights Fellowship church, located at 7405 Mariposa Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the group’s website.
According to organizers, the vote will be held “in principle”, meaning participants are being asked to approve the general framework and direction of the proposed constitution, not to adopt it into law. According to a press release, the same constitution was passed internally by the group’s self-organized Senate and Assembly on July 1 during its 13th Constitutional Convention in Visalia, California.
California identification and proof of residency are required in order to cast a vote. The vote is in-person only and will not be extended beyond the single-day event. Paper ballots will be used, and results will be hand-counted on-site with same-day totals announced, the website says.
The New California State movement aims to form a 51st state made up of California’s rural regions, while leaving urban areas like Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Sacramento in the existing state. According to a proposed map, Sacramento County would be split between two states, with Citrus Heights being located in New California.
Organizers allege that the current California government no longer represents rural communities and believe a new state would bring greater local control and economic opportunity. The Sacramento Bee described the effort as a “far-fetched proposal” earlier this year, when reporting on a rally held by the group at the State Capitol in February.
The New California effort is spearheaded by radio host Paul Preston, who became “disillusioned” with the 51st State of Jefferson movement and began working on the current project in 2016, according to the Redding Record Spotlight.
Saturday’s vote is described as part of a step-by-step plan modeled after the creation of West Virginia during the Civil War, when it split from Virginia to remain in the Union. The group claims the US Constitution’s “Guarantee Clause” supports their effort to reestablish a “republican form of government” in what they call “New California.”
The Sentinel reached out to the office of California State Assemblymember Josh Hoover, who represents Citrus Heights and other areas in District 7, and is still awaiting comment.
Mark’s Hallmark in Sunrise Mall closed on July 29 after decades of operating inside Sunrise Mall. // SB Williams
By Sara Beth Williams– A traditional and long-standing gift shop inside Sunrise Mall has closed.
Several shoppers could be seen buying the last of the merchandise available on July 29, the last day of Hallmark’s operation inside Sunrise Mall. The gift shop has existed in some form inside the mall for decades. Hallmark was located near Royal Stage theater, which is still operating with showings scheduled for August, according to its website. JCPenney, the only remaining anchor store, also remains open.
On Hallmark’s last day, most of the store shelves had been disassembled, and a handful of customers were purchasing large square picture frames that once lined the walls. Ornaments were $.99, and all other merchandise was listed at 90 percent off. At least one store employee said she will be relocating to Mark’s Hallmark in Roseville, located on Douglas Boulevard.
The gift shop known for its unique gifts for all seasons posted a large closure banner above its entrance in early July. At the time, Mark’s Hallmark sales associates Lena Khatcherian and Kathy Bordenkircher both confirmed that the store would be closing by the end of July.
Khatcherian and Bordenkircher said the store has a strong base of customers who return consistently, but that the store has been struggling since 2024, and particularly struggling since the closure of Macy’s in March, which resulted in lost foot traffic, Bordenkircher said.
Mark’s Hallmark specializes in unique seasonal and year-round gifts, gift wrap, greeting cards, and exclusive Keepsake Christmas ornaments.
Bordenkircher said the Hallmark store, in some form, has existed inside Sunrise Mall since the 1970s. First, as a camera store, and then as a store that sold both cameras and accessories, along with greeting cards and other unique gifts, before becoming just a Hallmark store. A second Hallmark store also resided in the mall but closed long ago, Bordenkircher said.
The store’s closure comes amid a legal battle between the Sunrise Mall and Citrus Heights, following the issuance of over half a million dollars in fire, health, and safety code violations against Sunrise Mall majority owner Namdar Realty Group. According to an email update from the city, none of the code violations have been addressed. A lawsuit was filed by the City of Citrus Heights against Namdar Realty on July 15, requesting repayment of fines and immediate abatement of numerous code violations, according to court documents.
Popular national chain Spencer’s closed its Sunrise Mall location on April 20. In mid-July, another store, Sam’s Jewelry, also closed and relocated business to Ron’s Jewelry. Both are operated by the same owner, according to employees. In late July, the Underground Clothing Connection, a store operated by the nonprofit Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team, also left their space.
By Sara Beth Williams– A multi-vehicle collision on Tuesday afternoon temporarily shut down portions of Sylvan Road, according to police.
The incident occurred on July 29 around 4:30 p.m. on the northbound side of Sylvan Road, between Greenback Lane and Auburn Boulevard. Several police, fire, and medical personnel responded to the scene, where traffic delays quickly followed.
Northbound lanes of Sylvan Road were closed for approximately one hour as emergency crews worked to clear the scene. Three individuals were transported to the hospital with minor to moderate injuries, according to the Citrus Heights Police Department. Witnesses reported that traffic was being diverted at Stock Ranch Road.
Some witnesses alleged that one of the vehicles involved may have been traveling the wrong way on Sylvan Road at the time of the crash, though police have not been able to confirm these reports.
Lt. Joseph Aguilar with the Citrus Heights Police Department said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. At this time, drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors, Aguilar stated.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department.
Students prepare to enter the newly constructed San Juan High School for the first time in 1915. // Citrus Heights Historical Society
By Sara Beth Williams– The Citrus Heights Historical Society is inviting the community to a presentation on the origins of San Juan High School, one of the oldest institutions in the area. The event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. at Citrus Heights City Hall.
San Juan High School was founded in 1913 by a group of local citizens who were concerned about their children’s education according to event information. Eighth Grade was the highest grade available in the area at the time. With the County’s encouragement, local ranchers and farmers started the San Juan Union High School District.
The evening will feature a lecture by Dick Cowan, a 1964 graduate of San Juan High School according to Citrus Heights Historical Society President Larry Fritz. Cowan is expected to share stories, photos, and historical context tracing the high school’s development in its founding days, including discussion on why the school was needed, who first formed the school and district, and what the students studied.
The event is part of the Historical Society’s ongoing effort to preserve and share the rich history of Citrus Heights, through a series of free, public presentations. Earlier this year, the Historical Society presented on the history of Sylvan Corners, and on the 1973 Roseville Railyard Bombings.
Citrus Heights City Hall is located at 6360. The event is free and light refreshments will be available.
For more information about the event, residents can visit the Citrus Heights Historical Society’s website at citrusheightshistory.org
Two suspects, 19-year-old Alejandro Roque Jr. (left) and 18-year-old Moses Leyva. (right), were arrested Sunday on suspicion of stabbing two victims in Citrus Heights. // Citrus Heights Police Department.
By Sara Beth Williams– Two suspects, one 18 and one 19 years old, were arrested Sunday following a double stabbing that occurred inside a business along Auburn Boulevard over the weekend, according to the Citrus Heights Police Department.
In a July 28 press release, authorities said officers responded to the 7900 block of Auburn Boulevard around 12:15 p.m. on July 27, following multiple 911 calls reporting a physical altercation between two groups, during which at least two individuals were stabbed.
Upon arrival, officers found two adult male victims inside suffering from stab wounds. Officers provided medical aid until medical personnel could arrive on scene. Both victims were transported to area hospitals. Authorities say both men are expected to survive.
Witnesses at the scene were able to provide a description of the suspects and their vehicle. Officers in the department’s Real-Time Information Center (RTIC) began tracking the suspects’ possible location, and detectives soon located and arrested the two suspects during a vehicle stop in Antelope, according to police.
The suspects were identified as 19-year-old Alejandro Roque Jr. and 18-year-old Moses Leyva. Roque was arrested on suspicion of felony battery causing serious bodily injury and carrying a concealed firearm. Leyva was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed firearm. Both were booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail, police said.
Citrus Heights police ae asking for anyone with information to contact the Crime Tip Line at (916) 727-5524. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers tip hotline at (916) 443-HELP. Anonymous tips leading to arrests may be eligible for a cash reward.
By Sara Beth Williams– The Citrus Heights Water District is inviting local water district customers to apply for its Customer Advisory Committee.
According to an announcement on the district’s website, the district is seeking residents from “a range of neighborhoods and backgrounds,” along with members of the business community and local public agencies, to provide input on a wide range of water district projects and initiatives. The committee, first established in 2018, is part of the district’s ongoing effort to ensure customer voices are heard in key planning decisions.
Members of the Customer Advisory Committee offer feedback on water district programs and policies, share important updates with their neighbors, and participate in in-person meetings and occasional facility tours. The role also offers an opportunity for community members to develop leadership skills and build relationships with fellow residents and local leaders.
Each term lasts up to three years, and participants are compensated for their time at $50 per meeting for members, and $25 for alternates.
Any Citrus Heights Water District customer with an interest in public service, water infrastructure, or community leadership is encouraged to apply.
Applications are due Aug. 22, 2025. For more information or to apply, visit chwd.org/CAC.
File photo, January 2024. Storefronts in Sunrise Mall stand empty alongside a World Wide Fund for Nature poster that says “Epic Fail.” // Mike Hazlip
By Mike Hazlip– Scattered footsteps echo through the cavernous open spaces of a mall that once buzzed with activity as shop owners wait in their stores, hoping for the occasional customer to wander in.
Less than two dozen tenants remain at Sunrise Mall, with JCPenney still open for business as the property’s last remaining anchor. Mostly made up of independently owned businesses, these mom-and-pop retailers struggle to hang on as the battle over the future of the property goes to court.
The City of Citrus Heights filed a lawsuit against the property’s majority owner, Namdar Realty Group, on July 15 citing ongoing unresolved code violations, according to an earlier report by The Sentinel. The lawsuit comes after authorities served an inspection warrant in May.
A 50-page inspection report obtained by The Sentinel outlined multiple issues such as leaking roofs, clogged roof drains, pests and rodents in the food court area, standing water on the floor, evidence of homeless activity in vacant spaces, and unpermitted appliances that had been installed.
Retailers say they are not surprised by the results and described an overall lack of maintenance that has been evident for a long time.
In an interview with The Sentinel, Kevin Cadinha, who owns Perfumes Luxe, said he sees the legal action as an inevitable step exasperating what has already been a steady decline for the once bustling retail center.
“You have two people kind of pushing against each other, and something’s got to give,” Cadinha said.
Cadinha, along with two other business owners who spoke with The Sentinel on condition of anonymity, feel caught in the middle between the City of Citrus Heights and a company that Bloomberg News called a “billionaire bottom feeder.”
“Do I feel caught in the middle? Maybe a little bit,” Cadinha said. “Because my opinion doesn’t matter… ultimately, it comes down to the decision of the two main people, the city and Namdar.”
Although Cadinha isn’t surprised by the overall condition of the property, he said some of the details in the report were shocking, but stressed that shoppers are not likely to see the worst issues that reportedly have occurred in areas closed to the public.
“You kind of see the mall in itself, and there are things that are wrong with the mall,” he said. “But you don’t know because I’m not in the closed stores, and you’re not in the areas that you can’t go into.”
His store is struggling to stay in business, along with many others, he said.
“It tells you why businesses have decided to leave, because if [code violations] are not being fixed, why would you own a business or have a business in an area that is that bad?” he said.
Despite the widely reported condition of the property, Cadinha encouraged shoppers to come to Sunrise Mall, and added that there’s “only so much” a business owner can do.
The remaining tenants at Sunrise Mall face an uncertain future as the City of Citrus Heights begins what has been a protracted court battle in other states with the New York-based corporation known for putting up legal roadblocks to thwart the redevelopment of their properties.
A years-long legal battle has played out in cities across the U.S., with municipalities in Bangor, Maine, along with Bloomingdale and Calumet City, both in Illinois, resorting to eminent domain actions.
“Who knows if one day Namdar comes in here and says the mall’s closed?” Cadinha said. “Who knows if the city is like, ‘Nothing was fixed, so the mall’s closed.’ How do we know what that time-frame is or what that looks like?”
Farzad Yoozbashi, owner of T&Z Toys, echoed that same sense of uncertainty.
“We don’t know everything that’s going on between the city, Namdar, or the company that wanted to buy it,” Yoozbashi said, referring to the recent proposal from Ethan Conrad Properties that was rejected by the city in April. “Everyone is looking for their plans, what they want to do. No idea what is going on between these three companies.”
Yoozbashi would like to see more people coming to the mall, saying that signage along Sunrise Boulevard might help people remember that there are still retailers open for business at the dying mall.
One shop owner who didn’t want to be identified for fear of repercussions said simply, “Sunrise tomorrow… What about Sunrise today?”
Want to share your thoughts on Sunrise Mall? The Sentinel welcomes letters about local issues. To submit a letter to the editor or opinion column for publication: Click here.
File photo, homes located in the housing development at Antelope Road and Turner Court. // CH Sentinel
By Sara Beth Williams– Citrus Heights Police recently shared home safety tips at a meeting with Neighborhood Areas 7, 8, and 9, and provided a list of actionable ways residents can help prevent porch pirates and break-ins.
The session offered residents practical advice based on principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED, which emphasize using design and environmental strategies to reduce criminal behavior.
According to Citrus Heights Police Detective Dave Jones, home burglaries in the United States occur roughly every 25 seconds, yet only about 13 percent are ever solved, due to a lack of available evidence.
Most burglaries happen in broad daylight when suspects believe homeowners are away, Jones said. Many break-ins result from unsecured side gates, open or unlocked doors and windows, and even from the use of hidden spare keys or tailgating into apartment complexes and gated communities.
To reduce the risk of becoming a target, Jones recommended the following practical security upgrades:
Install window locks and consider using security film on glass panels near entry points.
Use Smart Locks with access control for improved convenience and monitoring.
Set up a monitored alarm system with sensors on doors, windows, and glass.
Add cameras both inside and outside, and utilize doorbell cameras with two-way audio.
Install motion-activated lighting around all main entry areas.
Keep shrubs and trees trimmed near doors and windows to avoid hiding spots.
Lock all side gates and reinforce doors with deadbolts and strong strike plates.
Display visible signs indicating the presence of cameras or alarm systems.
Jones also encouraged the use of modern smart-home technologies like, timers for lights and electronics to simulate occupancy while away, remote access for locking/unlocking doors and monitoring cameras, security notifications through phone apps, and randomized lighting routines to deter intruders during vacations.
Detective Jones emphasized the value of neighborly cooperation. Before heading out of town, residents were advised to inform neighbors when you go on vacation and ask them to pick up your mail, or ask the post office to hold your mail. Residents can also leave vehicle parked in the driveway to make the home appear occupied, and should avoid posting vacation photos on social media notifying people that the home is empty.
Residents who are concerned can also request extra patrols from the Citrus Heights Police Department by calling (916) 727-5500.
